Clinton"FramesPerfectly" in Wallace Interview! An Interesting Read....

[KoKo]

Wow
by tristero

I read the transcript but nothing prepared me for the passion and intelligence shown by President Clinton as he makes mincemeat of Chris Wallace. It really must be seen.

More importantly, it must be carefully studied by the leadership of the Democratic Party. This is exactly how to respond to the right wing's attempt to load the questions and manipulate the debate to their advantage. Notice how Clinton responds immediately to the rhetorical framing* of the question by challenging its honesty. Notice how he reinforces that assertion of opinion - the question is loaded, biased and cheap - by literally overwhelming Wallace with clear, detailed, assertions of fact. Wallace expected evasion and bluster. But he clearly had no idea who he was dealing with.

Within the space of a few minutes, Wallace realized he was in way over his head - that Clinton, this figure he's held in contempt, knew far more about the subject of his responsibilities, his successes, and his failures than Wallace ever would - and that the trap Wallace had tried to spring on Clinton had totally backfired. He seemed to be all but begging Clinton to let him off the hook. But Clinton, both furious and capable of channeling that fury, toyed with him longer. By the end of the segment, Wallace looked drained, grinning inanely, and Clinton appeared as if he was just getting started.

Many honest folks, as opposed to rightwingers, had serious problems with the Clinton presidency - NAFTA, welfare "reform," don't ask don't tell - and I'm not sure they're wrong. But warts and all - damn, that was a helluva president and is a helluva human being. There are some great potential presidents out there - Gore, Clark, Kerry, add or subtract your own names - but it is very, very unlikely this country will see anyone as brilliant as Clinton - both intellectually and emotionally brilliant - in my lifetime.

Watch the video. The only thing I can compare it to is Coltrane live at the Half Note or the Ives Concord Sonata. A simply amazing treat for which we have the hapless Chris Wallace to thank almost as much as Clinton. Chris Wallace is surely no Elvin Jones. He's more like an insipid melody like "My Favorite Things" or "Inchworm" which a genius can turn inside out, develop and reveal a reality that the melody itself could hardly imagine it held.

more at.....

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2006_09_01_digbysblog_archive.html#115911612123226065

[MrModerate]

1. Link doesn't appear to work . . . where's the video?

[Dogmudgeon]

2. Your link died

Could you link to Tristero's original?

Thanks!

--p!

[KoKo]

4. Here....try the first and then the second:

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2006_09_01_digbysblog_archive.html#115911612123226065

[Dogmudgeon]

7. Thanks!

--p!

[liam_laddie]

3. Big Dawg...alpha male!

Great jazz references...how about Keith Jarrett wrestling a Boesendorfer (sp?) into submitting to his will?

[KoKo]

5. Kick for edits for those of you who couldn't get to the "Original." Here.

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2006_09_01_digbysblog_archive.html#115911612123226065

[bluerum]

6. He worked with the republicons in control of the congress and the

senate! His hands were tied behind his back and they had a gun to his head for four years!

I think he did a damn good job under the circumstances. He may not have agreed with all the legislation that was rammed through the senate but he did not crap out with signing statements on every damn thing he signed. He made a REAL effort at bi-partisanship. He is REAL president.

Wallace is just another namby pamby corporate media whore. He was given his marching orders and without a thought he carried them out. Maybe he will think twice next time - if he is lucky enough to get another chance.

edit for grammar.

[alteredstate]

8. Great thread!!!

Clinton showed us what to do today --- FIGHT BACK!

[indepat]

20. Eviscerate them with their every lie and disastrous action and policy

relentlessly. Then kick 'em hard when they're down.

[AX10]

9. I hope that others around here read this.

[wyldwolf]

10. the piece still tries to frame Clinton via leftwing criticisms

Many honest folks, as opposed to rightwingers, had serious problems with the Clinton presidency - NAFTA, welfare "reform," don't ask don't tell..

I doubt many "honest folks" if asked could define or describe those policies.

Other than that, wonderful piece.

[KoKo]

13. The piece left out "Telecommunications Act of '96 which sealed Dems

Fate. That was my big complaint...but the rest of the piece was interesting.

[wyldwolf]

19. I doubt "many honest folks" know what that is, either.

[TheDonkey]

11. Clinton had a meltdown

and rightfully so, you could tell he was just SICK of all this rightwing mudslinging.

[ProudDad]

18. I don't agree

I'm no great fan of Clinton (except as probably the last Prez we'll ever have who had an IQ higher than moron)...but...

He held his own in an ambush -- he definitely didn't "melt down" but rather fought back. Too bad other dems can't seem to grow a spine.

[sandnsea]

12. Notice how the media said he was crazed

and defending his inaction on terrorism. Notice how that's the story and not the actual facts on what Clinton did so the average citizen STILL doesn't know.

Notice how, also, the entire Party backs him up despite the fact that he and Hillary can never be counted on to do the same.

[SaveElmer]

14. But...

Clips of Bill Clinton making his defense are being played over and over again...that is what will sink in eventually...

This was a calculated move on Clinton's part. He knows you can never get the media to honestly look at the issues, so he goes into this "tirade" on Fox, knowing news outlets will be obligated to play them several times an hour...

[sknabt]

15. Here's the Clinton inteview video

In case you missed it.

http://www.eyesonfox.org/?p=99

[Guaranteed]

16. Nothing short of perfection.

"Stand him back up."

[The Magistrate]

17. It Was A Thing Of Beauty, Ma'am

The fact is, our Bill is one damn bad man....

[Jacobin]

21. Intelligence, Charm and Chutzpah

We are lacking a leader who has all three, the way that Clinton did.

He earned it the hard way, too. Came up from nothing, which is why he can be fearless.